INDIANA: Are you checking out your childcare options?

Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2017
INDIANA: Are you checking out your childcare options?
Please check out this NEW site from Indiana.gov - it's the new CHILD ABUSE REGISTRY put into effect based on "Kirk's Law". See the news article here.
This registry provides access to information dating back to July 1, 2012 on criminal cases that may have resulted from child abuse and neglect charges. Per Senate Enrolled Act 357 (2016), this registry includes convictions for the crimes of neglect of a dependent, child selling, battery against a child, and all sex offenses against a child. Since age of the victim is unknown in the electronic court records used to inform this Registry, these findings are determined merely by whether there has been a conviction for an offense included in any of the aforementioned general categories. Further determination may be concluded by contacting the court of record in each matter.
HERE IS THE LINK>>> This is the link you need to be clicking to see the site INDIANA residents!
The home portal also allows you to search trial cases (mycase), protection orders and marriage licenses. Also, don't forget to check out www.familywatchdog.us for the most up to date sex offender information available on the web all in one place!
What is Kirk's Law?
Kirk's Law is named for 19-month-old Kirk Colman of Elkhart who died October of 2014 under the care of his daycare provider, 59- year old Jackie Rolston, a sitter who had been previously convicted of child neglect. Coleman's Family was unaware the babysitter called 911 after Kirl stopped breathing, she told police he was choking. But a report stated little Kirk had significant injuries to his brain, optic nerves and retinas; which does not match what the home-care baby sitter told police. It was only four days after Kirk's death that his family learned that Rolston has a previous conviction of child neglect.
Because of this, Indiana lawmakers have been pushing for a statewide change. Allowing a new way to track those who have abused children. This is where Kirk's Law came into effect in Indiana July of 2017. Kirk's Law aims to protect kids by providing a free state-wide registry of caregivers and baby sitters documenting whether they've ever been convicted of a crime, and what that crime is.
Family Watchdog is still learning what this law means for other states, but we hope that it will spark a fire under other state legislatures to get it in action.
As always, Family Watchdog HIGHLY recommends when searching for a child care provider, you dig deep into your new potential sitter. Do background checks, check references and ask around. NEVER get on a Facebook garage sale site or Craigslist and hire the first/cheapest person you find without doing your research!